East Yorkshire man killed in Tenerife 'robbery'

Peter Cockshutt had been in Tenerife since December

A businessman from East Yorkshire has been killed in Tenerife in what is thought to have been a bungled robbery.

Peter Cockshutt, 71, of Brandesburton, near Beverley, was found dead in his holiday villa on the island on Monday, the Foreign Office said.

He had reportedly been stabbed and police believe he may have been killed as thieves tried to burgle his house.

Mr Cockshutt's daughter Janice told BBC News it was still unclear exactly what had happened to her father.

She said her father and her mother, Patricia, split their time between their home in East Yorkshire and their villa at Costa del Silencio on the southern tip of Tenerife.

She said her parents had been in Tenerife since December.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Tenerife, Spain, on February 8 2010.

"Consular staff are contacting the next of kin and will offer consular assistance. Local police are investigating."